My heart desires to go down to bathe myself before you,

That I may show you my beauty in a tunic of the finest royal linen...

I'll go down to the water with you, and come out to you carrying a red fish, which is just right in my fingers.

I'll set it before you, while looking upon your beauty.

O my hero, mine,

Come, look upon me!

If I am not beside you, where will set your desire?

If you do not embrace me and seize the moment, then whom will you

embrace for your pleasure?

But if you woo me to touch my breasts and my thighs...

Your love has penetrated all within me

Like honey plunged into water,

Like an odor which penetrates spices.

When her little sycamore begins to speak

The murmur of its leaves

Drips honey in the ear

Its fragrant words taste sweet

Her own hand, as soft and delicate as lotus.

I wish I were your mirror

so that you always looked at me.

I wish I were your garment

so that you would always wear me.

I wish I were the water that washes your body.

I wish I were the unguent, O Woman,

that I could anoint you.

And the band around your breasts,

and the beads around your neck.

I wish I were your sandal

that you would step on me!

I wish I were her Almazar slave

who guards her steps.

Then I would be able to see the colour

of all her limbs!

I wish I were her laundryman,

just for a single month.

Then I would flourish by donning [her garment]

and be close to her body.

I would wash away the unguent from her clothes

and wipe my body in her dress...

I wish I were the signet ring

which guards her finger,

then I would see her desire every day.

When night falls, plan to visit me.

For I believe night is the time that keeps secrets best.

I feel a love for you that if the lights of

heaven felt, the Sun would not shine,

nor the Moon rise, nor the stars begin their

nightly journey.

It will be for me a spell against the water

For I see my heart,

My beloved standing right before my face.

My arms open wide to embrace her

And my heart if joyful in my breast.

She will be to me like eternity

Her lips open wide as I kiss her

And I am joyful even without beer.

As clean ritual robes to the flesh of Gods,

As fragrance of incense to one coming home

Hot from the smells of the street. It is like nipple-berries ripe in the hand,

Like the tang of grainmeal mingled with beer,

Like wine to the palate when taken with white bread.

While unhurried days come and go, 

Let us turn to each other in quiet affection,

Walk in peace to the edge of old age.

And I shall be with you each unhurried day,

A woman given her wish: to see

For a lifetime the face of her lord.

Woman without peer

For heaven makes your love

Like the advance of flames in straw,

And its longing like the downward swoop of a hawk.

Now you shall bring it to the house of your beloved

And go as far as her window

Her chamber will be open for you,

And her housemaid will have prepared it. 

Provide her with songs and dances,

Wine and strong beer in her pavilion.

You will arouse her passions

And fulfill them during this night.

She will say to you,

"Take me into your embrace."

And when the dawn comes,

She will still be there.